Orkney Mainland named as one of Europe’s best islands

Mainland Orkney has been named the second best island in the UK and the fourth best in Europe in this year’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Islands awards.

The awards, which were announced today, Wednesday February 19, saw Lewis and Harris take the top spots for best island in Europe and the UK and fifth best island destination in the world, seeing off competition from destinations in Greece, Thailand and Madagascar.

For the second year running Ambergris Caye, in Belize, was crowned the number one island in the world.

The Travellers’ Choice Island awards winners are determined based on the quality and quantity of the most highly-rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions listed for each island on the TripAdvisor website, gathered during a 12-month period.

The Scottish Isles were among the best performing in the  world, with the Isle of Mull also named among Europe’s top ten, taking ninth place.